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Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh say they have overcome a key drawback to a highly desirable corrosion inhibitor: superhydrophobic coatings.
Coatings that are not just impermeable to water, but actually make water bounce off the surface, have always been valued for corrosion prevention. But many of the current offerings have lacked durability—until now, researchers say.
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Chinese Academy of Sciences |
| University of Pittsburgh researchers say they have developed a very durable superhydrophobic coating. |
The team has developed a synthesis method and composition for a superhydrophobic coating that readily cures at room temperature, provides good adhesion to the substrate, and forms a durable superhydrophobic surface.
The coating can be applied on a variety of substrates (including metals, glass, ceramics, textiles and paper) by a variety of conventional painting techniques, including spraying, roller coating, dip coating, flow coating and brushing.
Performance Characteristics
Researchers say the finished surface has excellent superhydrophobicity: The water contact angle is greater than 170 degrees C, and the sliding angle of a 4 microliter droplet is less than 1 degree.
After curing at room temperature, the coating shows good thermal stability (the superhydrophobicity remains up to 200 degrees C) and resists strong acids, bases and other common corrosive chemicals.
“Most superhydrophobic coatings made by currently available technologies are not durable,” the university said in a statement. “They don’t have a good adhesion to the substrate, so they are easily scratched off; they deteriorate over time; they do not resist heating or corrosive chemicals; they lose superhydrophobicity once completely immersed in water for a long period of time.”
The patent-pending coating is not available for online licensing. Contact Dr. Harold Swift, Technology Licensing Manager at the University of Pittsburgh, for more information.
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